Policy and Ethical Dilemmas

This activity addresses module outcome 3. Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:
• Explain the impact of diversity and inclusion in the military and how leaders can effect changes (CO4)
In this course, you will write several reflective papers. They are reflective because in addition to being based on your readings and research, you will be asked to finish each paper with a paragraph or two about how the assigned topic applies to you and what experiences you have had. It is important to understand the material but equally as important to how you can use it.
For this reflective paper, a 3-page paper analyzing some of the challenges with diversity and inclusion:
• With the rapidly changing demography of the landscape of the United States, it is as important as ever to be more inclusive for the betterment of our organizations and our country. In your assessment, do recent changes in new policy create dilemmas for some? Why or why not?
• If so, explain and suggest how leaders can help resolve such dilemmas.
• On the opposite side, explain if the lack of diversity undermines the narrative of inclusion and fairness for all and can this potentially become a national security issue? Why or why not?
• Your final paragraph of the paper should focus on your reflections about the topic and what you may have experienced in your own work or life or how the material applies to you.
• Diversity in the U.S. Military
• There is a fundamental value in striving for a diverse organization that is above reaching a level of quotas and compliance factors. The discussion of diversity generally centers on the fact that institutions/organizations should mirror the populations that they serve and, as the United States continues to diversify in its population, it is only practical that institutions/organizations should strive to do so. Along with all of the positive inherent qualities of diversity comes unintended, and oftentimes very difficult, consequences. All in all, respect for diversity strives to provide all individuals with equal treatment, opportunity, and protection.
• The United States military has seen its share of diversity, and while that diversity has broadened the abilities of the military in so many respects, along with these changes have come some very difficult growing pains. Pains that, in many cases, are detrimental to individual safety. While the changes discussed within this module are in many cases very different, similar attitudes and arguments are used in face of all proposed changes. In particular, the argument that changes will lead to a lack of unit cohesion, readiness, and effectiveness, as well as morale, are themes that resonate throughout the military’s history.
• Racial Integration in the U.S. Military
• The first opportunity for change came about after Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948, that mandated the racial integration of the military. Up until that point, service members of color were not allowed to serve, cohabitate, nor advance up the ranks like their white counterparts, although they were expected to perform just as valiantly, if not more so, than their counterparts.
• Women Integrated in the U.S. Military
• Not long after, the passage of the Armed Services Integration Act occurred in 1948, making females an official part of the military. This change was also met with resistance, and remnants of sentiments, such as those expressed by Brigadier General C. Thomas “The American Tradition is that a woman’s place is in the home,” and “Women do not take kindly to regimentation” still exist today. In particular, this can be seen within the debate as to whether women in combat should be allowed. Many of the same arguments still exist today, although the Department of Defense has taken steps towards changing this.
• While the official recognition of the role of women in the military has strengthened it, the unintended consequence of sexual assault on military women has tarnished this particular diversification effort. The military’s response to sexual assault has also led to many military women leaving and/or hiding the fact that they have been raped and/or assaulted. In this respect, the military has failed in many cases to provide protection for those impacted by what is intended to be a positive change.
• Homosexuals in the U.S. Military
• From the period of 1948–1993, homosexuality was not accepted in the military, and service members suspected of being homosexuals were discharged. Under President Bill Clinton’s administration, the Military Personnel Eligibility Act of 1993 was introduced; commonly referred to as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The essential elements that represent this act are as follows:
• One, service men and women will be judged based on their conduct, not their sexual orientation. Two, therefore the practice … of not asking about sexual orientation in the enlistment procedure will continue. Three, an open statement by a service member that he or she is a homosexual will create a rebuttable presumption that he or she intends to engage in prohibited conduct, but the service member will be given an opportunity to refute that presumption…. And four, all provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice will be enforced in an even-handed manner as regards both heterosexuals and homosexuals. And thanks to the policy provisions agreed to by the Joint Chiefs, there will be a decent regard to the legitimate privacy and associational rights of all service members.
• While the LGBT community was not thrilled about this change, it was a step in the right direction.
• In December 2010, President Obama signed into legislation the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” leading to the ability for homosexual service members to serve openly. As this is one of the most current issues, one unintended consequence regarding this change has been the discussion of partner benefits. While the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was only recently found to be unconstitutional, the military began to see this as an issue, given the fact that it had lifted the ban on homosexuals without a thought to how partners would be viewed. This is changing, but again, not without growing pains.
• As with any substantial change in our history, the process of diversification has not been a seamless and simple transition. It has come with much dissent, as well as many unintended consequences. However, this has not changed the trajectory of the U.S. military establishment to continue to seek out opportunities to diversify and increase its reach within all aspects of society.
• As you progress through this module, you will see that there are a number of challenges that come with diversification efforts. In particular, please keep at the forefront of your thought process the arguments utilized to counter such changes, like “it will lead to the breakdown of unit/military cohesion, readiness, and effectiveness, as well as negatively impact morale.” This type of rationale can and has led to negative unintended consequences that delay the progress of the U.S. military in many respects. As you read through the material and answer the discussion questions, you will be challenged to view this as a leadership opportunity and, as such, your analysis and arguments must be based in facts, not personal opinions.
• References
• Truman, H. (1948, July 26). Executive order 9981 . Retrieved from http://www.trumanlibrary.org/9981a.htm
• Segal, M. W., Smith, D. G., Segal, D. R., & Canuso, A. A. (2016). The role of leadership and peer behaviors in the performance and well-being of women in combat: Historical perspectives, unit integration, and family issues. Military Medicine, 18128-39. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00342
• President’s News Conference, in Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, William J. Clinton, 1993, Book 1, July 19, 1993: published 1994: 1111.
• Image Citation:
• Photograph of the first female Marines graduating Infantry training course at Camp LeJeune, NC, 2013 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Rodriguez. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Retrieved from https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1057767/first-three-female-marines-graduate-infantry-training-course
• A photograph of an integrated military unit in Italy during WWII (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Photo: Truman Presidential Library). Retrieved from http://www.takepart.com/article/2010/07/25/july-26-1948-president-truman-desegregates-military/
• Image of female soldier holding a rifle (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. Retrieved from http://www.alphadisability.com/women-in-the-military/
• DADT is “history” now, Leonard, Rest in Peace… (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. by Tony Fischer (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. is licensed under CC BY 2.0 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.